Rajapaksa, who will undertake a three-day state visit to India will have talks on bilateral matters, including rehabilitation of Tamil refugees, and regional and global issues.
Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to discuss political solution to the Tamil ethnic problem besides inking key pacts to deepen economic ties with India during his landmark visit from tomorrow.
Rajapaksa, who will undertake his first three-day state visit to India after his sweeping electoral victories, will have talks on bilateral matters, including rehabilitation of Tamil refugees, and regional and global issues.
The president is set to meet the Pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on the eve of his departure. This is being seen as an effort by the government to get a feed back on concrete measures to address the long-standing political problem after the military victory over the LTTE last May.
The inputs of the meeting with TNA are likely to be incorporated in his overall discussions with the Indian leadership on the Tamil ethnic problem during his visit, according to observers.
The political situation in the post-war scenario, particularly the issues related to re-settlement of the displaced Tamil civilians, and efforts by the government to find a consensus on a political solution to the ethnic conflict would be the focus of talks in New Delhi, they said.
Besides, the controversial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is also likely to be given the go-ahead even as controversies have dogged the proposed pact, observers said.
Some people have opposed the pact and appealed to Rajapaksa not to sign the CEPA during his India visit amid fears that it would lead to loss of jobs.
Rajapaksa assured the protestors earlier this month that he would not ink any agreement that goes against the interest of Sri Lanka.
According to the Island newspaper, India and Sri Lanka could sign at least five agreements during Rajapaksa’s visit.
In all, 11 agreements were being negotiated to enhance
bilateral cooperation, it said. But only five could be finalised so far. Negotiations are continuing on the remaining six agreements, which may be completed and signed later in the year, the daily said.
The five agreements would include cooperation to fight terrorism, transfer of sentenced prisoners, and for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Agreements are also expected to be signed on cultural cooperation and on Indian assistance for small development projects in Sri Lanka, the report said.
Among various assistance, India has announced a Line of Credit of $425 million for reconstruction of the railway infrastructure in the war-ravaged northern parts of the country.
India has been supplying 400,000 cement bags worth Sri
Lankan Rs200 million ($1.75 million), which is part of the
SLRS 12.5 billion grant announced in May 2009 by New Delhi for
reconstruction activities.
India has also contributed huge quantities of medicines and shelter material for those hit by the ethnic conflict and farm packs to boost agriculture in the region.
Sri Lanka has asked for India's help to develop the Palaly air field and the Kanakesanthurai port (KKS port) in Jaffna peninsula, as the country works to rebuild the war-torn Tamil-dominated north.
"The Indian government’s help has been sought for the development of the Palaly air field and the KKS port projects. India has said it will consider providing assistance for these ventures," a source in the Lankan government said.
Rajapaksa will inspect a military guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to kick-start a busy Wednesday when he
will also lay a wreath at the Raj Ghat.
He will then follow it up with a meeting with his Indian counterpart Pratibha Patil and wide-ranging talks with prime minister Manmohan Singh.
Apart from his wife Shiranthi, Rajapaksa will be accompanied by minister of foreign affairs GL. Peiris and Sajin Vas Gunawardena, the president’s coordinating secretary and MP from the Galle district and top officials.
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